HOT GALLERY: These Musicians Wowed Us Onstage—and Won Our Votes

First they made music for us, then they made laws for us. More than a few actors have become politicians (including, you know, a former president), but they’re not the only ones: Musicians have a history of turning their passion to the political too. One thing’s for sure: They know how to win over an audience. And isn’t that, ultimately, what politicians do (or at least try to do)?By Nina Hämmerling Smith

In the early ’70s, Helen Reddy was queen of the pop charts, with more than a dozen Top 40 hits—including her signature song, “I Am Woman.” With it, Reddy became the first Australian to have a No. 1 hit in the U.S., and the first to win a Grammy (her acceptance speech was scandalous at the time, as Reddy thanked “God, because she makes everything possible”). The song was an anthem of empowerment and pride for the feminist movement of the ’70s, one that still resonates today. Reddy also appeared in a string of TV series; she hosted the late-night variety show The Midnight Special for several years and made appearances on Fantasy Island and The Love Boat, among others. She also appeared in movies like Airport 1975 and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.